Happy Halloween!

What a beautiful Halloween Day! With the weather at 64 degrees and the sun shinning you could not have asked for a better day! This year I had a total of 4 trick or treaters.

My nephew, Elias, was Mickey Mouse. Don't you just want to pick him up and squeeze him!! He was a happy camper when he came over -all smiles. Amber said he had a lot of candy today. When he comes over he is always looking up at Scot's deer heads. I don't think he knows what to think of them.

Eric and Marcy Yonker, brought over their daughter, Reece. Reece was Curious George. I think this was her first year trick or treating and our house was their first stop. Reece wasn't to sure of what she was suppose to do and was a little shy.

My last trick or treaters where Shane and Holly Kellum's two boys: Dylan and Chance. Dylan and Chance were two football players for Hamilton School. They had a lot of candy in their bags and I think they will have a few sugar highs!

I took Trigger for a walk this evening while Scot spent sometime in his tree stand. Scot seen four does and one turkey.

Happy Halloween!!!

Quote of the Week

So....I was thinking of starting a new thing on my blog - I am going to add a quote each week. Hopefully, you will find one or more of the quotes meaningful to your life. This weeks quote:

Love requires sharing,

sharing requires struggle,

struggle requires faith,

faith requires love.

anonymous

Babies Every Where

Wow....2008, especially the last few months have been anoucement after anoucement of friends and family expecting their first, second or third baby.

Congratulations to my sister, Amber & her husband David who are expecting their 2nd child in June.

Congratulations to Steve and Andrea who are expecting their first child in April.

Congratulations to Michael and Erin who are expecting their second child in May.

Congratulations to Aaron and Roberta who are expecting their first child in February.

Congratulations to Matt and Karri who are expecting their third child in June.

I am very happy for all the couples listed above. What a wonderful gift & blessing from God. I pray that each of these couples have a great pregnancy and healthy babies.

On another note: I'm praying for those who would love to make an annoucment like those above & it just hasn't been in God's plan or our timing hasn't matched God's. I know there are couples out there that know exactly what I am talking about. For those of you that have no idea what I am talking about - I pray that you try to put yourselves in our shoes and feel our heartache.

Sweetest Day!!!

Is Sweetest Day another Hallmark Holiday? Per Scot, yes! I just consider this day another day to remember the ones you love!


My Sweetest Day 2008 was spent by having lunch with my family on the Hoekstra side. A few years ago my Grandma Hoekstra started a new tradition, lunch with all the girls on the Hoekstra side once a year. This year our lunch was at Red Robin. It is always a treat to take this time to catch up with my Grandma, Aunts and Cousins. THANKS Grandma for the wonderful lunch and great time.

Amber & I realized we match before we left for lunch. Don't we look cute in our purple vests! Amber didn't even want to sit by me at lunch! Can you believe that? What kind of sister love is that?

My cousin Denielle, my sister Amber, and myself.

My Aunt Sandra, my Grandma & my Aunt Linda

My Aunt Sue, Aunt Dawn, and my mother, Mary

My sister Sarah, and my two cousins Jennifer & Ashley.

My evening was spent with my Sweetie. We went out for dinner at O'Charley's in Holland and ended the night by seeing the movie, Fireproof. Fireproof is a great movie for any couple to watch. A great reminder how to keep your marriage strong and to keep Christ in the center!

I hope you sweetest day was filled with love and family!

"Oh What a Night"

Scot & I were lucky enough to be able to take advantage of a trip to Toronto w/Michigan Millers Insurance Company. Michigan Miller's Agency Incentive Trip for 2008 was four days in Toronto, Canada. Thursday morning Scot & I had to be at Michigan Millers Headquarters in Lansing at 5:15 to catch a charter bus. The bus took us to Windsor. At Windsor we caught a train to Toronto. This was the 1st time Scot & I have been on a train. The train was nice & spacious.

Scot and I on the Train to Toronto.

We arrived in Toronto around 3:00 & checked into the Fours Seasons Hotel. This hotel was 1st class all the way. Definitely a hotel Scot & I are not accustomed to.

Here is our view from our room on the 21st floor.

Thursday night the trip started w/a cocktail reception.

This is Dave & Debbie Hildenbrand. Dave is my producer I work with at Lighthouse Insurance.

Evonne Miedema & Marsha Jensen-Lewis are two other co-workers that also attended the trip.

On Friday, after breakfast, Scot & I walked around Toronto to check out the city. Toronto is a very big town with tons of shopping opportunities. Around noon, we caught the charter buses and took advantage of the tour to Hockey Hall of Fame.

Scot & I were able to see and touch the Stanley Cup!

Statue outside the Hockey Hall of Fame.

After our tour we got ready for our dinner at the Centro Restaurant. Scot got fillet mignon & I got chicken. After dinner we went to the play/musical, "Jersey Boys". "Jersey Boys" is based on the story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. The the play was EXCELLENT & Scot and I really enjoyed it. The actors in this play have all been blessed with huge talent. If you were wondering why my title is "Oh What a Night", it is b/c that is a song by The Four Seasaon that we sang a lot during the weekend & could not get it out of our heads. After the play we went back to the hotel and were surprised with a gift bag in our room. In the gift bag was the CD from the musical, "Jersey Boys" and a bottle of wine.

Saturday we spent the day at Niagara Falls. We had to take the charter buses for a 90 minute ride to get there, but it was sure worth it. Niagara Falls is a reminder of God's art work. What a beautiful sight! We took the historical ride abroad the world famous Maid of the Mist. Yes, we did get wet but it was fun. After our boat ride we had lunch w/Marsha and Will Lewis. After dinner we did a little bit of shipping & our last stop was to the Hershey Store! You can't walk out of that store w/out getting some kind of chocolate - YUMMY!!!

Scot and I in front of the falls - What a beautiful sight!!

Niagara Falls had beautiful flower gardens. There was several bridal parties getting their pictures taken.

Here we are on the Maid of the Mist. You have to love the blue rain gear:)

Our Saturday ended with a Gala Farewell Reception at The Grand Banking Hall at 1 King West. The restaurant was beautiful.


This weekend Scot had to get dressed up every night for dinner. He even wore a sports jacket! I will tell you what, for a contractor he cleans up really nice!! He looks hot in a tie!

Thanks Michigan Millers for the WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

"Hard G Clue"

What in the world kinda of title is that? This past Saturday was my first ride in my Dad's new buggy. My Dad took his horse down to Indiana to be trained by the Amish. Yelling Hard G to his horse makes the horse turn to the right very sharp. It amazes me what the Amish are able to train a horse to do. And they say horses are just hay burners!! Saturday night we had a get together for my Dad's 50th birthday with family and friends. I have been calling him "5-0" for the past couple of weeks. We were blessed with wonderful weather and a great time. Everyone enjoyed taking their turn riding in my Dad's two buggy's. My brother-in-law, Chris was driving the Amish buggy. The picture below is clue doing a "Hard G".

Chris & Sarah in front of my Dad's new buggy. And Chris driving the Amish Buggy with Sarah acting as co-pilot.

Amber and I taking our turn inside the buggy. What a smooth ride!!

I think my Dad has found his new hobby! Hopefully he will be able to enjoy it for a long time to come! Now he just needs a white coat with a top hat :-)

Fish Mates

Are you asking yourself, What are fish mates? Fish Mates is my new craft. Fish Mates is a fish tank that you can hang on the wall. Hang it in your office, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dorm room, class room...anywhere that you have a wall. Your options are endless. Fish Mates are easy to clean and save you space on your table, dresser, or desk. I have the following shapes in all sorts of colors: circles, diamonds, octagons, and fish. I even have a few that can hook over your cubicle wall! Today I had my second craft show at Garfield Park in Grand Rapids. None of this would be possible without the help & skill from Scot, my husband. Thanks Scot for all your hard work over the past couple of weeks & making this possible for me!!! Special thanks to Scot, my parents, and my sisters for helping me out today with setting up and helping me with cashing people out today!! I could not have done it without your help. I am very blessed to have such a supportive family! Stay tuned for furture listings of Craft Shows we will be attending. Thanks to all those that purchased a Fish Mate today!!! If you are interested in one or have any questions please send me an email at mvandam@allcom.net.